Water plays an important role in all sectors of the economy. It is critical to food and agriculture, health, industry, energy, transport and tourism development and other uses. As a result it contributes to the creation of formal employment to many people

Water for Domestic Purposes
Water for domestic purposes is mainly used for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and sanitation. In addition water is used for subsistence gardening and support of domestic animals, subsistence fishing, the making of bricks, the dipping of domestic animals and fire fighting. Access to safe and adequate water supply is still low and is estimated according to the 2000 Census Report at 49.1 %. Accessibility in urban areas is estimated at 86.1 %  whilst in rural areas it stands at 29.5%. It is further estimated that domestic use per unit consumption rate in the urban areas is taken as 180 litres/capita/day for the larger urban areas (cities), 150/litres/capita/day for small urban areas (small towns) and 45 litres/capita/day for rural areas.

With regard to sanitation, the estimated coverage was 33 percent for urban areas in 2000 and 4 percent for rural areas. Real coverage is much lower and varies considerably from one place to another due to non-functioning facilities, and poor usage. In the peri-urban areas, where 50 to 70 percent of the urban population live, water supply and sanitation services are poor, inadequate and unreliable; at least 56 percent of the population do not have access to safe water supply, and as much as 90 percent do not have access to satisfactory sanitation facilities.

 The amount and quality of water consumed by a community determines its standard of living. The benefits from supply of sufficient quantities and good quality water and sanitation are important for the sustenance of health. The Government has invested in the provision of safe and accessible drinking water in order to enhance health and productive lives of the people.  Improved access to water and sanitation has yielded direct economic benefit for the people of Zambia. Effective and efficient water resources management, development and use is vital to ensuring access to safe drinking water for communities and reducing the incidences of water related diseases. In addition, it contributes to the improved disposal of sanitary waste and other wastes that impact health.

Water for Food and Agriculture
In the food and agriculture sector, water is a prime factor in the production of adequate food for the country.  Water is necessary for production of crops. It is also important in the sustenance of the fishing and aquaculture industry, which has an important role to play in the provision of a certain level of nutrition needed by the people. Agriculture has now taken priority in government’s planning for social and economic development. A lot of investments have been made to the food and agriculture sector. This sector provides employment to a large percentage of the population. In general water may be used for irrigation, livestock and aquaculture.

According to the National Irrigation Strategy and Plan, the area irrigated in Zambia is estimated at approximately 100,000 ha comprising 52,000 ha under formal (commercial) and 48,000 ha under informal (subsistence). These figures are far below Zambia’s estimated irrigation potential of 400,000 ha. Water use for irrigation is steadily increasing due to Government Policy of promoting agriculture development and is likely to be higher than estimated.

Water for Industry
Water in industry is used for various purposes such as steam generation for heating, cooling, product dilution, reagent make-up, product or surface washing and transportation of materials or wastes.  The water quality requirement varies depending on the intended use.  Apart from the provision of employment in industries, water greatly contributes to exports of some of the manufactured product that provide a source of foreign exchange such as sugar and cement.

Water for Energy
Water is essential for the production of energy,  a vital input to the socio-economic development of the country. Hydro-electric power is the main driver of the country’s industrial development.   Zambia’s current installed electric power capacity is 1,800 MW with 94% being from hydropower. Total useable hydro-power potential of Zambia is approximately 6,000 MW which is far higher than the present available capacity. As at 1995 hydro-power generation utilised was 1,150 m3/s (42%) of the available surface water. National demand for power in 2015 is expected to total 2,380 MW requiring 1,200 m3/s of water.

Zambia has not fully exploited its hydropower potential and as a result electricity coverage for domestic lighting and heating, mining, industrial, and agriculture and manufacturing is low  resulting in the overexploitation of wood fuel, which increases deforestation. There is a need to develop the remaining hydropower potential.

Apart from hydro-power generation, water is used to grow crops such as sugar cane, maize, sorghum, soyabeans to produce biofuels to supplement and complement hydro-electricity.

For this to be realized there is a need to encourage private and public investment in the energysector.

Water for Transportation
Water transport is a suitable and convenient mode of transportation and has proved to be an important alternative to other forms of transportation such as road, air and rail. It is a convenient form of transport particularly in areas with navigable rivers and lakes. Most rural communities use it to cross rivers and travel to areas where road networks are poor or are not accessible by other means. The current statistics show that in 1992, a total cargo of about 296 tonnes and 8,669 passengers used the water transport through Mpulungu Port. Water transport has an advantage in that it is able to move goods in bulk. The Government maintains a system of canals in areas that are suitable for navigation such as the flood plains in Western Province of Zambia and Bangweulu in Luapula Province. Water resources management plays an important role in maintaining the navigability of these water ways.

Water for Recreation and Tourism
Zambia’s major tourist sites such as national parks, water falls, wetlands and national forests are situated along rivers and lakes with their ecosystems. In addition most tourist infrastructure are located contiguous to or near a water resource. The existence of the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River offers the largest and most popular single tourist attraction in the country.  Other tourist attractions along the Zambezi River include water rafting downstream the Victoria Falls and boating on Lake Kariba as well as upstream the Victoria Falls, sport fishing on the Kafue River, Lakes Kariba, Itezhi-Tezhi and Tanganyika is a popular recreational activity. Further, there are approximately 100 waterfalls, hot springs, unique water bodies and sources of major rivers which have not been fully exploited as tourist and recreation sites. Water also supports the wildlife and maintains a balanced ecosystem for the sustenance of tourism. The abundance of water resources in Zambia is strategic for the development of tourism and recreation centres which has contributed to economic diversity and growth.

Water for Research and Development
Professional and academic institutions play a vital role in the management of water resources as they are instrumental in research and training in the various water related disciplines. The success of integrated water resources management lies in the strength of research institutions. Some of the institutions conducting water related research are the National Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, University of Zambia, Copper belt University, Mount Makulu Research Institute, National Aquaculture Development Centre at Mwekera, Nanga Irrigation Research Centre, Natural Resources Development College and all Agricultural Colleges .  These institutions carry out training and  research in all aspects of water resources management, development and utilisation especially developing appropriate technologies.

Current measures taken by Government to promote research and development should be encouraged. The Research and development results should be disseminated to industry and stakeholders for effective use.